Obama's running mate?

Obama may announce running mate later today
By LIZ SIDOTI, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Presidential candidate Barack Obama says his pick for a running mate — he's made a decision but isn't giving out a name just yet — had to meet three standards to join the Democratic ticket: Prepared to be president, able to help him govern and willing to challenge his thinking.
Those criteria did little to narrow the guessing game as Obama prepared for a massive rally in Illinois on Saturday to present his No. 2 to the nation and undertake a pre-convention tour of battleground states. He planned to disclose his choice by unleashing text messages to supporters, perhaps as early as Friday.

"Obviously, the most important question is: Is this person ready to be president?" Obama said in an interview aired Friday on "The Early Show" on CBS.

"The second most important question, at least from my perspective, is: Can this person help me govern?" he said. "Are they going to be an effective partner in creating ... economic opportunity here at home and guiding us through some dangerous waters internationally?"

Obama said he also wanted someone who would show independence. "I want somebody who is going to be able to challenge my thinking and not simply be a 'yes person' when it comes to policymaking," he said.
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